Aspiring food business owners are invited to attend a day-long workshop led by food business and food safety experts with the Iowa State University Extension and  Outreach  Food Innovation and Business Hub. The workshop, ¢â‚¬Å“Plan, Prep, Profit: Starting a Food Business, ¢â‚¬ � will provide practical guidance for turning food ideas or hobbies into viable, compliant businesses and will be held on March 13 at the Digital Ag Innovation Lab in Ames.

Starting a food business can feel overwhelming due to regulatory requirements, safety considerations and business planning needs. This workshop is designed to help participants navigate these complexities with confidence.

¢â‚¬Å“There is so much that goes into any business, but a food business carries another level of responsibility to the end consumer, ¢â‚¬ � said Christa Hartsook, Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach. ¢â‚¬Å“This workshop will prepare individuals to confidently develop an idea or a hobby into a profitable business. ¢â‚¬ �

The full-day workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cover key topics including business planning, market selection, cost analysis, navigating food safety regulations and product promotion. Participants will receive a structured, step-by-step overview of the critical components needed to launch and sustain a food business.

Those interested in attending must  register online  and pay a $120 registration fee. Lunch will be provided to registered participants.

For more information, visit  Plan, Prep, Profit: Starting a Food Business, or contact Christa Hartsook at  hartc@iastate.edu.